Interactive tool

Fridge running-cost calculator

At the US-average electricity rate of about $0.17 per kWh, a typical mini fridge costs roughly $30–$70 a year to run and a full-size refrigerator roughly $70–$140. The calculator below does the honest math for your own numbers: rated watts × hours × compressor duty cycle × your rate — because a fridge compressor only runs about a third of the time, not continuously.

Running-cost calculator

Start from a typical figure

Typical category wattages, not a spec for any one model. Override below with your own.

Running wattage (W)

On the nameplate or spec sheet (amps × 120 if only amps are listed).

Electricity rate ($/kWh)

From your electric bill. US average is about $0.17.

Compressor duty cycle (33%)

How much of the time it actually runs. ~33% is typical; warm rooms and frequent openings push it higher.

Per year

$44

Per month

$3.69

Energy / year

260 kWh

Estimate = watts × 8,760 hours × 33% duty cycle ÷ 1,000 × $0.17/kWh. If your fridge’s EnergyGuide label lists a kWh-per-year figure, that number × your rate is more accurate than any wattage estimate.

Where the inputs come from

Wattage: the nameplate sticker inside the door or on the back. If it lists only amps, multiply amps × 120 volts.
Electricity rate: your utility bill’s per-kWh price. The presets use the US average (~$0.17).
Duty cycle: how much of the time the compressor actually runs. ~33% is typical; warm rooms, poor ventilation, and frequent door openings push it up.
Most accurate of all: the yellow EnergyGuide label’s kWh-per-year figure × your rate — it already accounts for cycling.